No birds today. Just a couple of helpful life hacks I stumbled upon recently that have lowered my blood pressure and made life a little more enjoyable. If you’re already aware of them you’re smarter than I was a week ago.
I’m sure all of us have needed to replace a credit or debit card that was lost or no longer working. The replacement process typically takes “7-10 working days” and in the meantime you’re in financial limbo while you’re waiting for the new card to arrive in the mail. Recently the chip on my VISA card stopped working and since I’ve intentionally limited myself to a single credit card I was in a mess – especially during a pandemic when cash has become almost an anathema. I prefer not to use a debit card so buying gasoline and groceries in particular became in instant and sometimes embarrassing headache.
My VISA card is issued through my credit union so a few days ago I paid them a visit to order a new card and load up on the cash I’d need until my new card arrived. When I asked the bank clerk to order me a new card he said “Would you like me to print a new one up for you right now? You can have it in less than five minutes.”
” What? You can print a new card for me?” I was blown away. And that’s exactly what he did.
The top card in the photo is the one he printed up for me and the bottom one is my “traditional” card. The only significant difference between them is that the identifying numbers and letters on the traditional card are raised and they’re not raised on the printed card. I was a little skeptical that the new printed card would work without any hitches but every time I’ve used it it’s worked perfectly.
In my experience new technology can often be a pain in the ass but this time it was a lifesaver.
OK, here’s another life hack. I like this one even more because it prevents aggravation far more often.
How do you feel about Gas Station TV (GSTV) or similar spinoffs that force you to be exposed to loud and highly annoying video and audio while you’re filling up your fuel tank at your gas station? The practice is burgeoning across the country so if you haven’t been exposed to it yet you soon will be.
I hate GSTV with an unbridled passion. I’ve been patronizing the same Chevron station for 30 years and their GSTV is so loud and annoying it’s impossible to ignore. My pickup gets very good gas mileage (for a truck) but it has a huge tank that takes a long time to fill so I’m forced to endure that visual and auditory pollution for what seems like an eternity. Talk about a captive audience!
So a few days ago I became so upset by its loudness I went inside to complain to the station manager and ask her to turn it down. I know her so I thought she might do me (and others) a favor if I explained how incredibly aggravating it is.
Her response was “You can turn it off yourself any time you like. Just push the second button down.”.
Sure enough. At my gas station all you need to do is push the second button down on the right side and the screen goes blank and quiet for the remainder of your time at the pump. I no longer have to listen to Kara and others babbling at me at 70 decibels while they’re telling me mostly inane stuff or trying to get me to purchase goods and services that I have absolutely no interest in.
I really don’t give a shit that it’s Twitter’s birthday (see photo above this one), especially when I’m told that at a teeth-rattling volume..
So if your version of GSTV annoys you as much as mine annoys me play with the buttons until the damn thing turns off. They deliberately don’t label the buttons because they don’t want you to turn it off. But I’ll bet you can.
You’re welcome.
Ron
Addendum:
Soon after I posted a link to this post on Facebook good friend Jim DeWitt posted this graphic and made this comment “Grumpy? I thought it was just me.”
Guilty as charged. To be honest, as a bird photographer it’s common practice for me to yell at clouds. Or more often, curse them.
And I’ve now read all these comments … more loud guffaws! You and your readers are my people!! 😂
Hi Ron, I’ve been away for awhile (partly for my first post-vaccine road trip, yay!) — so I’m reading backwards thru your posts without comment. But this one gave me such a huge laugh at the end I had to tell you how much I enjoyed it. And I will be punching ALL the buttons on the pump the next time I get a fill-up! Thanks for the tip.
Welcome back, Chris!
Some of us got so “grumpy” that we ditched our gas-powered cars and went electric… So, I hadn’t even come across one of the GSTV thingies, I gotta admit… and ours was just acquired in September… So far like it alot. But, it won’t get us the miles of driving you have to between “fills”,…yet! Maybe someday….
My usual CT gas station had the tv for awhile….I hated it! So annoying! Didn’t know I could de-activate it. It eventually disappeared….the station must have received many complaints and voluntarily removed it.
Interesting, LS. That’s the first time I’ve heard about those abominations being removed after being installed. I wish my Chevron station would do the same thing.
I haven’t seen any of these GSTVs in Madison WI, yet, but I usually get gas at my grocery store. They did just replace the pumps and so far no video. I am glad to know how to turn if off when I do encounter it.
I am also grumpy about the constant change in everything electronic from with programming, like phone and computer programs. Just as I learn something, it changes.
People who aren’t grumpy are not indicating that on their replies.
Pam, if they just installed new pumps and they don’t have GSTV I’d say you’re safe from that aggravation for quite a while. And lucky as hell.
Thank you Ron for the helpful information . I’m beginning to understand more and more why “old people” are so grumpy .Partly because I’ve become one , I’m sure , but it does seem that the world in general has become more raucous and invasive . Thank you for the daily reprieve !
“I’m beginning to understand more and more why “old people” are so grumpy”
Me too, Laurel. Me too!
I am a poster child for grumpy old woman syndrome. I am very, very glad that we don’t have GSTV. I resent (enormously) being forced to watch/listen to video when I am in doctor’s waiting rooms (where I spend too much time).
I wonder whether we have that useful card printing facility. Our banks are convinced that we are there to serve them rather than the other way round but they DO like us to spend money…
Enjoy your lack of GSTV, or something like it, while you can EC. It may not last long.
It probably won’t. We are far too ready to take on aspects of your country’s lifestyle.
To your detriment…
Sometimes my answer is an emphatic yes.
Oh, my gosh. My local gas station recently installed new pumps that, of course, have GSTV, and I was wishing I knew how to turn the noise off but afraid to just start randomly pushing buttons. Thanks for the tip! 🙂
Then it sounds like you’re the perfect audience for this post, Cathy.
Hi Ron – as usual you provide very useful information. Did not know about the mute button and can not wait to use it next time I fill up. Every time am at the gas station I say to myself “this is not Tokyo – enough with the video and noise.” Billboards are my other huge pet peeve – they are being transferred to huge video screens. So annoying. My coping tip is when annoyed think of something I am grateful – like a beautiful day, like am so grateful for my fun car, so grateful I live in a free country, etc. Changes my mindset pretty quickly.
Kathleen, I agree about those new billboards. They’re so bright at night they’re dangerous for drivers. I’m surprised UDOT allows them but the billboard companies are apparently greasing some politician’s hands.
I have an app on my phone for my credit cards I use a lot, we seemed to need the app while traveling out of the county 2 years ago. We mostly use our Discover card, when they have card failure they have sent us new ones in about 24 hours of asking for a new one. What I don’t like about all our new cards, is the number is not raised, it is printed and wears off so you don’t know the numbers. Sometimes you need to type in the info on purchases!
Thanks for the pump info, I hate those too. I know I am ridding the Grumpy Train!
Did you get any photos yesterday? Yes, it was fun to see you, sorry I did not talk long, it was still prime photography light and I was finding some nice models that morning.
April, because of the printed card lacking raised numbers I ordered a regular one anyway. But it was extremely useful to have the printed card in the meantime.
I didn’t get much yesterday – only some curlew photos that weren’t too bad. We just had bad timing for most of the morning. As you know it sometimes goes that way with bird photography.
Good to know about the shut up button on the pump. I’m pretty good at losing my credit card (which means my whole wallet; two times in ten years) so that will come in handy.
My hack: carrying lose-fitting gloves in the car. Prevents getting that gas smell on your hands, although I’m puzzled how the pump handle sometimes acquire it. Also, you don’t know who has handled that pump or pressed the keypad and shut up button. Might be sticky from some guy eating a donut. Or worse.
Lyle, it’s probably safest to assume the “worse” option. I wouldn’t be surprised if I continue to use sanitizer on my hands after pumping gas even when the pandemic is behind us. If it ever is completely.
Hahahahaha. Bahahahaha. Your credit union is my credit union and your remark about the numbers made me laugh. I have had clerks ask me if my card is real because it looks like one of those lame cardboard cards that credit companies send you to make you apply for a real card. Great tip about the ads, though. Corinne, Utah farm supply gas is a head exploding experience I won’t have to have again.
Suzanne, my printed card is actually made of sturdy plastic just like my ‘regular’ card and they look almost the same too. The only real difference is the letters and numbers that aren’t raised on the printed card.
Today’s post made me laugh… sorry. My first thought was, oh bummer his bank doesn’t print cards yet. That I did know. Now the mute button I didn’t know about 😕 Luckily yesterday well filling up I got to watch a basketball game ❗️
Deep breaths Ron 😊
Ha, deep breaths don’t help, Diana. They just give me hyperoxia… :).
Glad you learned about the card printing process. I have been aware of this for a while. I buy gas at Holiday Oil stations and there pumps have the video screens as well but include a mute button that is marked as such. I am having a big life change as well. I not have to read the newspaper on line. Not my preferred way but our choices are shrinking in many ways. I long for a lot of old time things.
“I long for a lot of old time things.”
I’m getting that way too, Betty. Not all of them but some of the ‘new time things’ are beginning to drive me battier than usual…
Great post, Ron! Looking forward to my next (quiet, serene, peaceful) fill-up!
Good. Hope it works for you, Diane. I suspect it will.
I found out about the card-printing thing on Thursday, when my hubby had to get his replaced. Yay for credit unions! 🙂
Thank you for the gas station hack. I hate those videos and am so glad that Costco doesn’t have them. Yet. A couple of years ago I was at a restaurant that had them in the LOO! Talk about your “captive audience.” Sheesh!
“A couple of years ago I was at a restaurant that had them in the LOO”
Holy hell, that would really piss me off. Pun intended.
That’s totally news to me that some banks can reprint their own credit cards! I’ve always been fascinated by 3-D printers… Especially when they’re doing things that help us, which isn’t always the case…
The mute button on our Gas pump speakers here in New Hampshire is often worn out and inoperable. So I try to go to those pumps where it still working. Another trick? I travel with my noise reducing headphones. And I’m not shy about slapping them on, anytime there’s any kind of distracting noise going on around me. Furthermore, I’ve been known to continue listening to an audiobook, and I suppose that if you could get some music that’s the same beat as the rap music, maybe if we get some sort of special mixture! 😉
Alison, it sounds like in your area the “mute button” is well known and well used. Around here I don’t think most folks know about it, especially since the buttons aren’t labeled.
Thanks for sharing those tips. I did not know you could get a replacement credit card so fast.
One thing I’ve learned is to have a credit card dedicated for recurring transactions, like my phone bill, water bill, etc. Nothing else goes on there, which means it’s less likely to get hacked. My other card is what I use routinely for groceries and online shopping and inevitably once a year or so the fraud department calls me to tell me I’ve been hacked and the card will be replaced with a new one. Because the recurring transactions are on a separate card, I don’t have to go through the tedious process of figuring out how to update payment information. I went through that multiple times before I figured out how to save myself some work.
Thanks for the tip, Linda. Sounds like it might be a workable solution for many.
I thought it was only me that hates GSTV…so glad to know about the down button. Now if there was a down button for the fella who pulls up next to you to fill up with his rap music blaring so loudly that it is shaking his vehicle and he then leaves to go into the gas station to pick out his treats for the day! Did not know about the bank replacing a card for you…good to know and remember. I think the answer to Terri Ann’s ponder may be we are the majority for our age group. We grew up not needing to be entertained constantly…we did that for ourselves. Be interesting to see all the responses.
Kathy, I share your disdain for those drivers who insist on having their sound system turned up so loud that others can actually feel it, whether at the gas station or at stop lights or anywhere else.
When I was teaching I used to make fun of folks like that (usually young people) in class by saying they had $5000 sound systems in $500 cars. Not far from the truth in many cases, especially with my students.
Very interesting about the bank and the card. Was not aware of that. I have ordered a replacement card once and they sent it overnight,. I used Costco for my gas and at least here in Prescott they don’t yet have those screens. Hope they never do. I drive a Subaru Forester and when I get gas it is usually in the low $20’s, but often there is a receipt still in the slot from a previous driver and sometimes it will be $56.80 or $63.20 etc. That’s probably in your ball park. And of course right now the prices are rapidly rising. And I join you in not giving a damn about Twitter’s birthday.
Everett, I have a 36 gallon tank so I’m not kidding when I say it seems like I’m listening to their inane babbling for an eternity.
Cool! I’d heard they could print the cards right there but have not seen it here. Knock on wood we don’t have to listen to the BS while fueling up but will certainly keep it in mind! Thx!
“we don’t have to listen to the BS while fueling up”
I hope it lasts for you Judy but I wouldn’t count on it. “Progress” ya know…
I’m becoming a grumpy old person too. I despise videos news, delete! Would rather read my news, not look at videos. Who are these folks, for example, who prefer to look at a video of someone getting a COVID vaccination to be informed about vaccination issues? Are we in the minority or majority I wonder?
“Are we in the minority or majority I wonder?”
Maybe we’ll find out based on the comments on this post.